System and method for providing access to the keyboard and display assembly of rack mounted computing systems when the rack door remains closed

ABSTRACT

A small door or window within the front door of a computer system rack through which a shelf or drawer can slide in and out of the rack while the door remains closed and locked. A keyboard, display, and pointing device may be mounted on a tray which is mounted on the shelf or drawer. The small door or window may be closed by a panel which folds up and down on hinges or a panel which slides up and down within the main front door. The door or window may be locked with a key that is the same as the key to the main front door of the rack or by a key which is different, which thereby affords additional levels of security.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/734,643, filed Nov. 8, 2005, entitled “Console Access Doors for Rack Mounted Computer Systems” and the regular patent application Ser. No. 11/590,325 filed Oct. 31, 2006. This application contains corrected application papers per the Notice to file Corrected Application Papers, dated Nov. 16, 2006.

REFERENCES CITED

U.S. Patent Documents 1 6,442,030 August 2002 Mammoser, et al 2 6,685,033 February 2004 Baddour, et al 3 6,945,412 September 2005 Felcman, et al 4 6,956,735 October 2005 Lee, et al 5 7,019,963 March 2006 Lee, et al

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

The present technique was developed without federally funded research or development.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present technique relates generally to the field of computer systems and, more specifically, to the field of ease of access to the console shelf in a computer system rack, to enhanced physical security for the computers in the rack, and to providing a safer and more ergonomically designed work environment for the operators who require access to the console of said computer racks. The present technique provides a window in the front door through which the console can be accessed when required and stored when access is not required.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART

It has become standard practice to physically secure the computers and other equipment functioning in data centers in enclosures known as system racks, which are cabinets designed to house computers and other devices.

These system racks have become common for housing data processing equipment in data centers and computer rooms. Such equipment includes but is not limited to computers, data storage systems, networking and telecommunications devices, etc. Standards have been adopted within the industry for system racks, including the adoption of a standard unit size for vertical heights, horizontal widths and horizontal depths.

The racks are built according to standard sizes. System racks are typically 23.5 inches wide and various heights. Full height racks are 78 inches high. The racks typically stand 2.5 inches off the floor. They are generally placed adjacent to each other, with 0.5 inches or less between them. The console, i.e., the keyboard, display, and pointing device, typically occupies position 22, when numbered up from the bottom, which corresponds to elevation of 37 inches up from the bottom of the rack. The front doors can be hinged on the left or the right. Often are hinged on the left such that they open from right to left. When two operators work side by side on adjacent racks, the door to the rack on the right inconveniences both operators because it swings back and forth between them.

The vertical height of shelving and other components designed to be installed within a computer rack is typically expressed in terms of a standard unit of height, referred to as a “U,” which corresponds to 1.75 standard inches. The typical width is 19 inches. The typical rack height is 6.5 feet or 78 inches. Each Shelf is 19 inches wide and 24 inches deep. A 1 U shelf or component, therefore is 1.75 inches thick.

Shelves, computers, and other items are typically mounted on rails which can thereby be extended out of the rack when an operator needs to work on the element and pushed back into the rack when the work is complete.

It has become common practice to manage each of the computers in a rack with a single shared console, consisting of a single display, keyboard, and optional pointing device which is stored or mounted on a shelf inside the rack. The console is connected through a switching device to each of the computers in one or more racks. The console shelf is frequently located at position 22.

It has also become common practice to employ flat panel displays as the screen component of the console. The flat panel display requires significantly less volume of physical space than the CRT displays that were common until recently. The flat panel displays can be pivotally mounted to lie flat on the shelf when not in use, and raised to an upright position when in use. Mammoser, et al, ref. 1, holds U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,030 for a server system rack drawer with keyboard, flat panel display and electronic switch. Baddour, et al, ref. 2, holds U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,033 for system and apparatus enabline top, front, and rear access to a rack mounted computer system. Felcman, et al, ref. 3, holds U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,412 for a system and method for mounting a keyboard and display assembly in a 1 U rack space. Lee, et al, ref 4, holds U.S. Pat. No. 6,956,735 for a fertically adjustable rack mounted display assembly. And Lee, et al, ref 5, holds U.S. Pat. No. 7,019,963 for a rack mounted keyboard display assembly and storage guide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present technique relates to computer consoles in the racks found in data centers. This technique extends the state of the art because it enables access to the console drawer of a computer rack while the main door to said rack remains closed and locked. Using this technique it is not necessary to open the main door to a computer rack to gain access to the console of said rack or the computers housed therein.

The present technique allows the console shelf of a computer system rack to be extended out of the rack when needed and stored back into the rack when not needed, while the main door to the rack remains closed and locked. This invention enhances the physical security of the systems in the rack and enhances the work environment of the operators of the machines.

This technique facilitates physical security of the computers in the rack by providing access to the console of a computer rack while the door is locked.

This technique prevents loose items from falling the computers and other information processing equipment housed within the racks when an operator is working on a console.

This technique also provides a more ergonomic work environment for the operators requiring access to the console of a computer rack because the operator is not standing next to an open door which may be swinging back and forth. This should prove to be especially helpful when two operators are working shoulder to shoulder at the consoles of adjacent racks, with a door open between them, swinging back and forth, banging first one operator then the other on the elbow.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the present technique may be applied to a variety of storage racks of different heights and widths.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a small window or door 2.25 inches or 1.5 U high and 20 inches wide and centered 36.5 inches up from the bottom of the main front door in a computer rack. This invention allows access to the console while the main door is closed.

The simplest implementation is a window cut within the door to the rack through which the console shelf may be extended when needed and stored when not needed.

This window can be always open, closed with a panel that folds up or down, or closed with a panel that drops within a track inside the rack door. The window can be locked.

DRAWINGS Detailed Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 shows two adjacent racks (11), which are built with conventional doors (12). The door (12) to Rack 11.A is hinged on the right, the door (12) opens from left to right. The console, consisting of keyboard (14), display (15) and pointing device (not shown) is extended out of the rack on a console shelf (13). If operators were working on both racks simultaneously, the door (12) to rack ‘11.A’ would be in the way.

When operators are working on the console of adjacent rack ‘11.A’, and ‘11.B’ the door (12) to the left rack, (11.A) opens between the two racks. This inconveniences both operators.

FIG. 2 shows two adjacent racks, (11) in which are deployed this technique. The console shelves (13) are extended from both racks (11), while the doors (12) remain closed. Operators have access to the keyboards (14) screens (15) and pointing devices (not shown) of the consoles.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a rack (11) and the console access window (16) of the present technique and the position of the rack door lock (20) and the rack door hinges (21) where the door opens on the right side.

FIG. 4 shows a door (2) with the console access window (16) of the present technique and the position of the rack door lock (20) and the rack door hinges (21) where the door opens on the left side.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of a rack (11) built in accord with this technique with the console extended through the window of the present technique. The console shelf (13) and the console screen (15) are visible.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the window of claim 1. The rack (11) the rack door (12) the console shelf (13) the console window (16) the console window hinges (17) the console window lock (18) and the console window latch (19) are visible.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   11 computer rack -   12 door to computer rack -   13 console shelf in computer rack -   14 console keyboard -   15 console screen -   16 console access window of the present technique -   17 hinges of console access window -   18 lock for claim 7 -   19 latch for claims 2 and 6 -   20 rack door lock -   21 rack door hinges

CONCLUSION RAMIFICATION AND SCOPE

This technique offers several distinct advantages over the prior art. By providing access to the console of the various systems housed within a computer rack while the door remains closed and locked, this technique enhances the physical security of the computers and other information processing equipment stored in a rack. It prevents items from being dropped on or spilled into the computers housed the console. It prevents persons who are authorized to use some but not all of the computers in a rack from accessing the computers they are not authorized to access. It prevents persons who are unauthorized to access computers from inserting an CD, DVD, USB device or floppy disk in any of the servers in a rack.

Using the prior art the door to a rack must be open to gain access to the console. Because this technique provides access to the console while the door is closed, it also enhances the work environment of the operators working on said computers.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the present technique may be applied to computer racks of different heights and widths. It can be applied to racks containing medical equipment, audio and video equipment, et cetera. 

1. A window within the front door of a server system rack wherein a movable shelf or tray may be extended in and out for access and storage while the main front door remains closed.
 2. The window of claim 1 may be opened or closed by a panel which is hinged along the bottom and which rotates up and down 180° to open and close the window, rotating down to open and up to close.
 3. The window of claim 1 may be opened or closed by a panel which is hinged along the top and which rotates up and down 180° to open or close the window, rotating up to open and down to close.
 4. The window of claim 1 may be opened or closed by a panel which is latched and mounted within a track on the inside of the door, and which drops down within said track to open and which is lifted up within said track to close the window.
 5. The window of claim 1 may be opened or closed by a panel which is latched and mounted within a track on the inside of the door, and which is lifted up to open the window and which is dropped down to close the window.
 6. The hinged panels of claims 2 and 3 which are secured in the opened position by a latch.
 7. A lock to the windows of claims 2, 3, 4, and 5 which may be keyed identically or differently to the lock of the main server rack door. 